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The Most Popular Types of Massage Therapy
from:Since 1960, massage therapy has increased in popularity. It is now part of a system utilizing both conventional and alternative forms of medical therapy or intervention. It is part of Complementary and Alternative Medicines or CAM. Yet, like so many other alternative and conventional types of medicine, some forms are more popular than others are. Below is a small list of the most popular and common forms of massage therapy.
1. Of all the early Western traditions Swedish Massage Therapy is the oldest and the classic form. It has been around since the 1800s. A product of Per Henrik Ling a Stockholm physiologist, it has provided the basics for generations of massage standards.
Swedish Massage consists of 5 basic hand techniques. They include smooth long strokes, kneading, circular movements to create friction, vibration and tapping or percussion. The intent is to improve circulation, promote relaxation and to rid the tissues of waste products. A massage of this type often takes place in a spa atmosphere. Swedish Massage is a favorite of many people who want to relax. It is also used by dancers and athletes.
Swedish Massage was also influential in the origin of several other massage types. These include Esalen Massage, Hellerwork and three popular forms: Rolfing, Deep Tissue Massage Therapy and Sports Massage Therapy.
2. Rolfing focuses on the connective tissue or fascia covering the body internally. Developed by Ida Rolf (1896-1979), an American biophysicist, it features various manipulations to stretch thickened and taut fascia. In doing so, it uses the fingers, knuckles and even the elbows to dig deeper into the flesh. The intent is to improve the vertical alignment of the client’s body.
3. Deep Tissue Massage resembles both Swedish Massage and Rolfing. Like Rolfing, it uses deep manipulations and concentrates on deeper layers. Its intent is to release the tension of the muscle tissues. The hands usually follow or go against the grain of the muscles, tendons or fascia. It is a technique used to loosen tight muscles and relieve back pain.
4. Sports Massage Therapy combines techniques of both Swedish and deep Tissue Massage. It does not focus on the fascia. Instead, it concentrates on the specific muscles utilized by the individual athlete during his or her sport. It is a specialty form of massage therapy. Its intent is not only to help the athlete recover quicker from an injury but to prevent the injury from occurring.
The practitioner hopes to restore and maintain mobility, relief pain from injury and maximize both the physical and mental performance of the athlete. Sports Massage concentrates on athletes and provides them with massage before, inter and after sporting events. It is an accepted part of training and sports’ medical teams.
5. Hot Stone Massage is another form of Therapeutic Massage. Unlike the other forms mentioned previously, Hot Stone Massage uses a tool to accomplish its goal. The practitioner applies smooth heated basalt stones to the acupoints on the body. These are to relieve tension and to reduce pain.
6. Aromatherapy Massage combines the use of fragrant essential oils with massage to achieve a variety of health benefits. The application of essential oils to the body becomes absorbed and enters via the skin into the circulatory system. The specific essential oils address specific functions of the body. The benefits of Aromatherapy Massage include the raising of spirits as well as the introduction of vitamins, antibodies and antiseptics to the system.
7. Shiatsu Massage Therapy is the Japanese adaptation of Acupressure. It involves firm, rhythmic pressure by the hands, knees, fingers and feet. These exert pressure on specific points of the body for a set period of time. It works on the meridians or channels of energy flow of the body. The practitioner works to unblock the channels allowing the Ki to flow.
8. Thai Massage Therapy is another form of acupressure. It uses gentle pressure on the arms, legs, hands, feet and back and moves the body in various stretching positions. The intent is to improve the flow of energy within the body. Like Shiatsu, Thai Massage works on the theory of invisible energy lines distributed around the body in a specific pattern. The 10 major lines converge at the navel. Work begins here to free the energy to flow.
9. Reiki is a hands-off practice of massage, although it sometimes does involve touching and visualization. It taps into the Universal Life force, using energy to help balance and amplify an individual’s own energy. The result is a promotion of healing.
10. Reflexology is a type of massage therapy that focuses on the feet. It considers the foot as a microcosm of the entire body. It presses certain pressure points on the foot. These reflex zones are associated with specific body parts, organs and glands. Any congestion or imbalance in the body produces stress and disease. Pressing the point relieves stress and improves circulation by stimulating the energy.
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